Soldering-machine.



U. W. GRAHAM.

SOLDEEING MACHINE.

APPLICATION I'ILED rmm, 1905.

983,821. Patented Fb.7, 1911.

THE NORRIS PsrERs co., wnsumc'ron, n,

UNTTED STATES PATENT QFFTE CHARLES W. GRAHAM, 0F ROME, NEW YORK,ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, T0 AMERICAN CAN COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N.Y., A CGRPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

SOLDERING-MACHINE Application filed February 9, 1905.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES GRAHAM,

residing at Rome, in the county of Oneida and State of New York, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Soldering-Machines, ofwhich the following is a full, clear, and exact description, such aswill enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make anduse the same.

This invention relates to machinery for applying solder or othermaterial. One of the objects thereof is to provide efficient means ofthe above type which shall be con tinuous in action.

Another object is to provide simple means of the above type in which thesolder is applied with substantially uniform pressure independent of theexpansion or contraction of parts of the machine.

Still another object is to provide a soldering machine which is adaptedto thoroughly solder all parts of the seam.

Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed outhereinafter.

The invention accordingly, consists of the features of construction,combination of elements, and arrangements of parts which will beexemplified in the machine hereinafter described, and the scope of theapplication of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown one of various possibleembodiments of my invention: Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional viewof the same, certain parts thereof being shown in full in order todisclose the structure more clearly. Fig. 2 is a cross section takensubstantially on the line 22 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a similar view takenon the line 3-3 of Fig. 1,

certain parts being omitted. Fig. 4: is a detailed perspective view of ablock used in this embodiment of my invention. Fig. 5 is a similar viewof a supporting hook. Fig. 6 is a detailed section showing the relativeposition of a can and some of the co-acting parts. Fig. 7 is a detailedperspective view of a link.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout theseveral views of the drawing.

In order to render clearer the general nature of my invention, it mayfirst be noted Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. '7, 1911.

Serial No. 244,833.

that if, in a machine of the general type with which this inventiondeals, the solder applying members are rigidly supported with referenceto the can supporting members, the expansion or contraction of theparts, due to the varying degrees of heat to which they are subjected,is likely to render the application of the solder uneven and unequal. Itmay also here be noted that if the action in a soldering machine is notcontinuous throughout a considerable period of time, the same is likelynot to thoroughly sweat the solder into the seams. Another defect inmachines of this nature now in general use is that the solder is notsweated into all parts of the seam. The above and other defects areremedied in constructions of the nature of that hereinafter described.

Referring now to the drawing, 1 represents a tank or receptacle providedwith suitable heat-applying means 2 and adapt ed to contain moltensolder 3 to any desired level. hfounted in the walls of this receptacleadjacent one end thereof is a shaft t provided with a sprocket wheel 5,which, in this instance, is shown as a hexagonal pulley. A.corresponding pulley 6 is mounted in the opposite end of the tank withinhookshaped bearings 7, resting upon fins 8 proj ecting inwardly from thewalls of the tank. Bearings 7 are perforated longitudinally for thereception of adjusting bolts 9 which pass through the end of the tankand are squared as shown at 10 and provided with nut-s 11. These boltsare threaded into suitable bosses 12 in the ends of the walls of thetank and it will readily be seen that by means of turning the same, thenuts being loosened, the bearings of pulley 6 may be adjusted asdesired. A chain 13 passes over the sprocket wheel 5' and pulley 6 andis preferably built up in the following manner. A series of blocks 1stprovided with dependent flanges 15 are connected by means of short links16, each link being pinned between adjacent ends of flanges 15 of theblocks which it connects. In this manner, a chain is provided whichduring its travel between the sprocket wheel and pulley affords asubstantially uniform surface and yet passes readily over these parts asshown in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

Mounted in tank 1 between suitable guides 17 are floats l8'preferably'of cast iron, each float being provided with a hollowportion 19 loosely fitting between these guides and having horizontalflanges 20 adapted to limit the downward movement thereof. Betweenflanges 20 is a depressed portion 21 adapted to act as a way or guidefor the upper portion of chain 13 and to support the same in a positiondetermined in a measure by the height of the molten solder within thetank.

A can carrier or support 22 is positioned immediately above the upperportion of chain 13 and preferably comprises a pair of webs 23 providedwith outwardly projecting flanges 24c, and having secured theretosuitable straps 25, the webs, flanges, and straps being so formed and ofsuch position as to bring their extremities substantially in acylindrical outline. Upon this carrier are can bodies 26 driven by meansof a sprocket chain 27 provided with outwardly projecting arms 28, eachof which is adapted to engage and propel a can body. Chain 2'? ismounted upon a sprocket wheel 29 borne by a short vertical shaft 30journaled in a bearing 31 formed upon or secured to one of the walls ofthe tank. A bevel gear 32 upon the lower end of shaft 30 meshes with asimilar gear 33 upon the shaft 4, and the propelling chain and solderapplying chain are thus driven from the same source of power, the latterbeing applied to shaft 4 by means of spur gear 3% or other desiredmeans.

Adjustably secured to the inner face of one of the webs 23, as by meansof bolts 35 and slots 36, is a guide 37 adapted to engage the seam 38 ofa can body 26 and perform functions hereinafter described.

It may here be noted that the term buoyancy-controlled is usedthroughout the following claims as descriptive of a member, the pressureof which against a neighboring body is controlled by its buoyance withreference to a fluid in which it is positioned, or by the buoyancy ofanother member connected therewith. It may also here be noted that theterm solder is used throughout the following claims in an extremelybroad sense to denote any material adapted to adhere to a metallicsurface and seal a joint therein.

The method of using the above described embodiment of my invention is asfollows: Assuming the solder to be in molten condition and the series ofcan bodies 26 to be positioned upon the carrier 22, these bodies andchain 13 are driven preferably in the same direction by the sprocketwheel mechanism, the floats 18 holding the blocks 14; against the canbodies 26 with the desired pressure, and the can bodies being driven atthe desired rate. The chain passing alternately below and above thelevel of the solder transmits a portion thereof, which adheres to itsheated surface, to the seams of the can bodies and presses and sweatsthe same between the meeting surfaces thereof. The chain is preferablydriven at a slightly greater rate than that of the can bodies, thusaffording a sliding contact which has a beneficial action in forming thejoints, the relative rate of speed of the can bodies and blocks beingdetermined by a suitable pro portion of the bevel gears 32 and 33. Aswill be seen from an inspection of the drawing, the blocks 14 are atcertain points in contact with the dependent edge of the guide 37 andconsequently deposit solder upon the same. The can bodies sliding alongthe carrier 22 with their seams in contact with the lower edge of theguide, as shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings, take up this solder and henceare sealed along the inner edges of the seam, this action resulting in ahighly efficient oint.

It will thus be seen that I have provided a simple and eflicient pieceof apparatus which is continuous in action and is substantiallyunaffected by the contraction or expansion of the several parts thereof.It will also be seen that the joint formed by the apparatus embodying myinvention is far more reliable than those joints in which the solder issweated into the seam on one side only.

As many changes could be made in the above construction and manyapparently widely different embodiments of my invention could be madewithoutdeparting from the scope thereof, I intend that all mattercontained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawingsshall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent is 1. In apparatus of the class described, incombination, means adapted to support a can body, a receptacle, aflexible member adapted to transmit solder from said receptacle to saidcan body, and a float within said receptacle adapted to hold a portionof said flexible member in engagement with said can body.

In apparatus of the class described, in combination, means adapted tosupport a can body, a receptacle, a flexible member adapted to transmitsolder from said receptacle to said can body, a float within saidreceptacle adapted to hold a portion of said flexible member inengagement with said can body, and means adapted to drive said can bodyand said flexible member at dilfercut rates of speed.

3. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, means adapted tosupport a can body and permit the same to travel in a longitudinaldirection, a guiding member upon said first-mentioned means adapted toco-act with the inner surface of the longitudinal seam of said can body,a receptacle, and a movable member adapted to apply solder to the outersurface of said can body and the lower edge of said guiding member.

4:. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, means adaptedto support a can body and permit the same to travel in a longitudinaldirection, a guiding member upon said first-mentioned means adapted toco-act with the inner surface of the longitudinal seam of said can body,a receptacle, a movable member adapted to apply solder to the outersurface of said can body and the lower edge of said guiding member, anda float within said receptacle adapted to tend to force said movablemember into engagement with said can body.

5. In apparatus-of the class described, in combination, means adapted tosupport a can body and permit the same to travel in a longitudinaldirection, a guiding member upon said first-mentioned means adapted toco-act with the inner surface of the longitudinal seam of said can body,a receptacle, a movable member adapted to apply solder to the outersurface of said can body and the lower edge of said guiding member, andmeans adapted to drive said movable member and said can body insubstantially the same directions at different rates of speed.

6. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, means adapted tosupport a can body and permit the same to travel in a longitudinaldirection, a guiding member upon said first-mentioned means adapted toco -act with the inner surface of the longitudinal seam of said canbody, a receptacle, a movable member adapted to apply solder to theouter surface of said can body and the lower edge of said guidingmember, means adapted to drive said movable member and said can bodiesin substantially the same direction at different rates of speed, and afloat within said receptacle adapted to tend to force said movablemember into engagement with said can body.

7. In a machine of the class described, in combination, means adapted tohold an article to be soldered, a receptacle, means adapted to transmitsolder from said receptacle to said article, and a float in saidreceptacle adapted to press said transmitting means into engagement withsaid article.

8. In a machine of the class described, in combination, means adapted tohold an article to be soldered, means adapted to apply solder to saidarticle, and buoyancycontrolled means adapted to press saidsolder-applying meansinto engagement with said article.

9. In a machine of the class described, in combination, means adapted tohold an article to be soldered, a receptacle, continuously acting meansadapted to transmit solder from said receptacle to said article, and afloat in said receptacle adapted to press said transmitting means intoengagement with said article.

10. In a machine of the class described, in combination, means adaptedto hold an article to be soldered, means adapted to have a slidingcontact with said article and apply solder thereto, andbuoyancy-controlled means adapted to press said solder-applying meansinto engagement with said article.

11. In a machine of the class described, in combination, means adaptedto hold an article to be soldered, a receptacle, means adapted totransmit solder from said receptacle to said article, said means beingadapted to have a sliding contact with said article, and a float in saidreceptacle adapted to press said transmitting means into engagement withsaid article.

12. In a machine of the class described, in combination, means adaptedto hold an article to be soldered, a receptacle, continuously actingmeans adapted to transmit solder from said receptacle to said article,said continuously acting means being adapted to have a sliding contactwith said article, and a float in said receptacle adapted to press saidtransmitting means into engagement with said article.

13. In a machine of the class described, in combination, means adaptedtohold an article to be soldered, a receptacle, continuously acting meansadapted to transmit solder from said receptacle to said article, saidcontinuously acting means being adapted to have a sliding contact withsaid article, and a float in said receptacle adapted to press saidtransmitting means into engagement with said article, said receptaclebeing provided with guides for said float.

14:. In a machine of the class described, in combination, means adaptedto hold an article to be soldered, a receptacle, guides within saidreceptacle, continuously acting means adapted to transmit solder fromsaid receptacle to said article, and a float in said receptacle adaptedto press said transmitting means into engagement with said article, saidfloat comprising a dependent hollow portion between said guides andflanges adapted to rest upon the tops of said guides and limit thedownward movement of said float.

15. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a receptacle,means adapted to support and guide a can body adjacent thereto, aflexible member mounted adjacent said receptacle and adapted to transmitsolder therefrom to said can body, the upper portions thereof beingadapted to contact said can body, means adapted to propel said can bodyupon said supporting means, and means adapted to drive said flexiblemember,

said last-mentioned means being adapted to move the upper portion ofsaid flexible member at a greater rate of speed than that of said canbody.

16. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a receptacle,means adapted to support a can body adjacent said receptacle and adaptedto transmit solder therefrom to said can body, a flexible member mountedupon rotatable members journaled adjacent said receptacle, and means forpropelling said can body and driving said flexible mem her at differentrates of speed.

17 In a machine of the class described, in combination, means adapted tosupport a can body and permit a movement of said body relative thereto,a receptacle adjacent the same, stationary means upon saidfirstmentioned means adapted to apply solder to the inner surface of ascam in said body and means adapted to transmit solder from saidreceptacle to the outer surface of said seam and to saidsecond-mentioned means.

18. In a machine of the class described, in combination, means adaptedto support a series of can bodies and permit a movement of said bodiesrelative thereto, means adapted to propel said can bodies, a fixed seamguide upon said first-mentioned means adapted to apply solder to theinner surfaces of the seams in said bodies and remain in continuousengagement with said seams, a receptacle adjacent said first means, andmeans adapted to transmit solder from said receptacle to the outersurface of said seams and to said seam guide.

19. In a machine of the class described, in combination, means adaptedto support a series of can bodies and permit a movement of said bodiesrelative thereto, means adapted to propel said can bodies,solderapplying means adapted to co-act with the outer surfaces of saidcan bodies and continuously acting means adapted alternately to receivesolder from said solder-applying means and apply the same to the innersurfaces of the seams in said bodies.

20. In a machine of the class described, in combination, means adaptedto support a can body, solder-applying means adapted to co-act with theouter surface of said can body, and means adapted alternately to receivesolder from said solderapplying means and apply the same to the innersurface of said can body.

21. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a memberadapted to support and guide a series of can bodies, means adapted topropel said bodies upon said mem her, a guide upon said member adaptedto co-act with a portion of the inner surfaces of said can bodies, andcontinuously acting solder applying means adapted to co act with theouter surface of seams of said can bodies, and adapted to deposit solderupon said guide, said guide being adapted to redeposit the solder withinsaid can bodies.

22. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a receptacle,means adapted to support an article to be soldered adjacent saidreceptacle, and a flexible member, portions of which are adaptedalternately to contact the article on said support and to descend intosaid receptacle.

23. In a machine of the class described,

the combination with a support for can bodies, of a molten solderreceptacle below said support, means for moving can bodies lengthwisealong said support and adjacent said receptacle, a flexibleheat-resisting solder-applying member mounted movably within said solderreceptacle and adapted to move through the molten solder therein, theupper portion of said flexible member adapted to project above themolten solder and to move in the same direction and approximatelyparallel to the path of movement of the can bodies, substantially asspecified.

24. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a moltensolder receptacle, of a member above said receptacle adapted to supportand guide can bodies above and adjacent to said receptacle, a flexiblesolderapplying member mounted movably within said receptacle, saidflexible member having a lower portion within the molten solder, and anupper portion projecting above the molten solder and adapted to contactwith the can bodies and apply solder thereto, and means for moving saidflexible member to cause the upper portion thereof to move in a pathapproximately parallel to that of the can bodies as they may be movedalong said support, substantially as specified.

25. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a receptacle, amember adapted to support and guide a can body adjacent thereto, a chainmounted in said receptacle, the upper portion thereof being adapted tocontact and apply solder to said can body, means adapted to propel saidcan body upon said supporting member, and means adapted to drive saidchain at a clifferential rate with respect to the rate of travel of saidcan bodies.

26. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a receptacle, amember adapted to support and guide a can body adjacent thereto, a chainmounted in said receptacle, the upper portion thereof being adapted tocontact said can body, means adapted to propel said can body upon saidsupporting member, and means adapted to drive said chain, saidlast-mentioned means bein adapted to move the upper portion of saidchain at a greater rate of speed than that of said can body.

27. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a receptacle,means adapted to support a can body adjacent said receptacle, a chainmounted upon rotatable members journaled within said receptacle, andmeans for propelling said can body and driving said chain, said chaincomprising alternate blocks and links, and the outer surfaces of saidblocks being substantially flat.

28. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a receptacle,means adapted to support a can body adjacent said receptacle, a chainmounted upon rotatable members journaled within said receptacle, andmeans for propelling said can body and driving said chain, said chaincomprising alternate blocks and links, the outer surfaces of said blocksbeing substantially flat and said links being substantially inclosed byinwardly extending flanges formed on said blocks.

29. In a machine of the class described, in combination, means adaptedto support an article to be soldered, means adapted simultaneously toapply solder to the inner and outer surfaces of a seam in the same, andbuoyancy controlled means adapted to press a part of said solderapplying means into engagement with said article.

30. In a machine of the class described, in combination, means adaptedto support a can body and permit a movement of said body relativethereto, means upon said firstmentioned means adapted to apply solder tothe inner surface of a seam in said body, means adapted to apply solderto the outer surface of said seam, and buoyancy controlled means adaptedto press said lastmentioned solder applying means into en gagement withsaid can.

31. In a machine of the class described, in combination, means adaptedto support an article to be soldered and permit a movement of saidarticle relative thereto, a receptacle, means upon said firstmentionedmeans adapted to apply solder to the inner surface of a scam in saidarticle, means adapted to transmit solder from said re ceptacle to theouter surface of said seam, and a float in said receptacle adapted topress said transmitting means into engagement with said article.

32. In a machine of the class described, in combination, means adaptedto hold an article to be soldered, a receptacle, means to transmitsolder from said receptacle to said article, a float in said receptacleadapted to press said transmitting means into engagement with saidarticle, and means adapted alternately to receive solder from saidsolder transmitting means and apply the same to the inner surface of aseam in said article.

38. In a machine of the class described, in combination, means adaptedto hold an article to be soldered, a receptacle, a movable chain aportion of which is within said receptacle and a portion of which isadapted to contact with said article, and a float in said receptacleadapted to press said chain into engagement with said article.

34. In a machine of the class described, in combination, means adaptedto hold an article to be soldered, a receptacle, a flexible member aportion of which is within said receptacle and a portion of which isadapted to contact said article, a float in said receptacle adapted topress said flexible member into engagement with said article, meansadapted to propel said article along the member upon which it ispositioned, and means adapted to drive the portion of said flexiblemember contacting said article at a higher rate of speed.

35. In a machine of the class described, in combination, means adaptedto support an article to be soldered, a receptacle, a chain comprising aseries of blocks a portion of which is within said receptacle and aportion of which is adapted to contact said article, a float within saidreceptacle adapted to press said chain into engagement with saidarticle, means adapted to propel said article along the member uponwhich it is supported, and means adapted to drive said blocks in contactwith said article at a higher rate of speed.

36. In a machine of the class described, in combination, means adaptedto support the can body and permit a movement of said body relativethereto, a receptacle, a chain comprising a series of blocks, a portionof which is within said receptacle and a portion of which is adapted tocontact said article, a float within said receptacle adapted to presssaid chain into engagement with said article, means adapted to propelsaid article along the member upon which it is supported, and meansadapted to drive said chain in the same direction in which said memberis propelled and at a higher rate of speed.

87. In a machine of the class described, in combination, means adaptedto support a can body and permit a movement of said body relativethereto, means upon said firs mentio'ned means adapted to apply solderto the inner surface of a seam in said body, a receptacle and a chainmounted adjacent said receptacle a portion of which is within the sameand a portion of which is adapted to contact said can body and applysolder to the outer surface of a seam therein.

88. In a machine of the class described, in combination, means adaptedto support a can body and permit a movement of said body relativethereto, means upon said firstmentioned means adapted to apply solder tothe inner surface of a scam in said body, a receptacle, a flexiblemember mounted adj acent said receptacle, a portion of which is withinthe same and a portion of which is adapted to contact said can body,means adapted to propel said can body along the member upon which it issupported, and

' means adapted to drive said flexible member at a higher rate of speed,said body and said chain being driven from a common source of power.

39. In a machine of the class described, in combination, means adaptedto support a can body and permit a movement of said body relativethereto, stationary adjustable means upon said first-mentioned meansadapted to apply solder to the inner surface of a seam in said body, areceptacle and continuously acting means adapted to supply said solderfrom said receptacle to the outer surface of said seam and to said adjustable means.

40. In a machine of the class described, in combination, means adaptedto support an article to be soldered, a receptacle, soldersupplyingmeans adapted to apply solder from said receptacle to the outer surfaceof a scam in said article, and means adapted alternately to receivesolder from said soldersupplying means and apply the same to the innersurface of the seam in said article.

4,1. In a machine of the class described, in combination, means adaptedto support an article to be soldered, solder supplying means adapted toapply solder to the outer surface of a seam in said article, meansadapted alternately to receive solder from said solder-supplying meansand apply the same to the inner surface of said seam, and means drivenfrom a common source of power adapted to propel said article along themember upon which it is supported and to drive said solder applyingmeans in the same direction at a higher rate of .speed.

42. In a machine of the class described, in combination, means adaptedto support an article to be soldered and permit a movement of saidarticle relative thereto, means upon said first-mentioned means adaptedto apply solder to the inner surface of a scam in said article, areceptacle, a flexible member adapted to transmit solder from saidreceptacle to the outer surface of said seam, and a float in saidreceptacle adapted to press said solder transmitting means intoengagement with said article.

43. In a machine of the class described, in combination, means adaptedto support a can body and permit a movement of said body relativethereto, a receptacle, means upon said first1nentioned means adapted toapply solder to the inner surface of a seam in said body, a flexiblemember mounted adjacent said receptacle a portion of which is within thesame and a portion of which is adapted to contact and apply solder tothe outer surface of said seam, and buoyancy controlled means adapted topress said flexible member into engagement with said can body.

44. In a machine of the class described, in combination, means adaptedto supporta can body and permit a movement of said body relativethereto, a receptacle, means upon said first-mentioned means adapted toapply solder to the inner surface of a seam in said body, a flexiblemember mounted adj acent said receptacle a portion of which is withinthe same and a portion of which is adapted to contact and apply solderto the outer surface of said seam, and buoyancy controlled means adaptedto press said flexible member into engagement with said can body, saidmeans upon said first-mentioned means being ad ustable with referencethereto.

In a machine of the class described, in combination, means adapted tosupport a can body and permit a movement of said body relative thereto,adjustable means upon said first-mentioned means adapted to apply solderto the inner surface of a scam in said body, a receptacle and a chainmounted adjacent said receptacle, a portion of which is within the sameand a portion of which is adapted to contact said can body, a float insaid receptacle adapted to press said chain into engagement with saidcan body, and means driven from a common source of power adapted topropel said can body along the member upon which it is supported and todrive the portion of said chain in contact with said can body in thesame direction and at a higher rate of speed.

$6. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a receptacle, amember adapted to support a can body adjacent said receptacle and permita longitudinal movement of said can body with respect to saidreceptacle, means mounted adjacent said receptacle adapted to transmitsolder from said receptacle to a seam in said can body, positivelyacting means adapted to propel said can body along said supportingmember, and positively acting means adapted to drive. said solderapplying member in substantially the same direction as said can body andat a different rate of speed.

47. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a supportfor can bodies, of means for moving the can bodies lengthwise along saidsupport, a molten solder receptacle below said support, a movable solderapplying and sweating device within said receptacle, and means forlongitudinally moving said solder applying and sweating device incontact with and parallel to the can seams to sweat the solder thereinand also for moving said device into and out of the molten solder toapply the solder to the seams of the can bodies, substantially asspecified.

48. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a supportfor can bodies, of means for moving the can bodies lengthwise along saidsupport, a molten solder receptacle below said support, and a pluralityof movable solder applying and sweating blocks in said receptacle, andmeans for moving said solder applying and sweating blocks in contactwith and parallel to the can seams to sweat the solder therein and alsofor moving them up and down to cause their solder applying and sweatingfaces to be alternately immersed in and projected above the moltensolder in said receptacle, substantially as specified.

a9. In a machine of the class described, the combination with meansadapted to support articles to be soldered, of means for moving themalong said support, a molten solder receptacle below said support, amovable device in said receptacle and having a solder applying andsweating face adapted to be moved lengthwise of and parallel to saidsupport in contact with the articles to be soldered to sweat the solderinto the seams, said device being also adapted to be moved up and downto alternately immerse in and project above the molten solder its solderapplying and sweating face, SllbSt-ZLIL tially as specified.

50. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a cansupport and means for moving cans along said support, of a molten solderreceptacle below said support, a plurality of movable solder applyingand seam sweating blocks in said receptacle, and means for moving saidblocks both up and down to bring their solder applying faces alternatelyabove and below the level of the molten solder and also lengthwise ofsaid support and in contact with the can seams to sweat the solder intothe same, substantially as specified.

51. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a supportfor can bodies, of means for moving the can bodies lengthwise along saidsupport, a molten solder receptacle below said support, and a pluralityof movable solder applying and sweating blocks in said receptacle, andmeans for moving said solder applying and sweating blocks in contactwith and parallel to the can seams to sweat the solder therein and alsofor moving them up and down to cause their solder applying and sweatingfaces to be alternately immersed in and projected above the moltensolder in said receptacle, said solder applying and sweating blocksbeing pivotally connected together and forming an endless chain,substantially as specified.

In a machine of the class described, the combination with a can support,and means for moving cans along said support of a molten solderreceptacle below said sup port, a plurality of movable solder applyingand seam sweating blocks in said receptacle and means for moving saidblocks both up and down to bring their solder applying faces alternatelyabove and below the level of the molten solder and also lengthwise ofsaid support and in contact with the can seams to sweat the solder intothe same, said solder applying and sweating blocks being linked togetherand forming an endless chain, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I aifix my signature, in the presence of twowitnesses.

CHAR-LES W. GRAHAM.

Witnesses -W. 0. FORD, E. II. CARTER.

